3.2.2 Recursive techniques

2.2 Recursive techniques

Iterative loop

A sequence if statements which are repeated without jumping out of loop e.g. FOR loop

Recursive loop

A function which calls itself to produce a looping effect.

e.g 4 Factorial = 4 x 3 x 2 x 1

Base case stops series of function calls stopping the infinite loop.

An infinite loop results in a stack overflow error

General case- recursion part

The role of the stack

the stack stores the return addresses of functions or procedures which are calls recursively.

The stack is LIFO- (Last In First Out) so as the function reaches their end return addresses are returned to the correct function